Yadkin Valley 2A/3A Conference Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've really enjoyed doing this type of conference preview this season. We've already looked at some other conferences in higher classifications (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-central-piedmont-7a-8a/">Central Piedmont 7A/8A</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mip-greater-neuse-river-7a-conference/">Greater Neuse River 7A</a>,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/cap-8a-conference-preview/">CAP 8A</a>) and I looked at some intriguing conferences on the eastern part of the state (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-eastern-sandhills-5a-6a/">Eastern Sandhills 5A/6A</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-eastern-plains-2a-3a/">Eastern Plains 2A/3A</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-coastal-5a-6a-conference/">Coastal 5A/6A</a>). Matt Morrow has previewed several Charlotte area conferences like the&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/meck-power-6-conference-preview/">Meck Power 6</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/greater-metro-athletic-6a-7a-conference-preview/">Greater Metro Athletic 6A/7A</a>&nbsp;Conferences. I also dipped into the area to cover the&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-catawba-shores-2a-3a-4a/">Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A</a>&nbsp;charter school Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here, I'm moving back to the east to cover an intriguing Yadkin Valley 2A/3A Conference. Which players are the most important to their teams? Plus, I have other thoughts and a predicted order of finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Yadkin Valley 2A/3A Conference MVPs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the most unique conferences in the state. In an area of the state that the NCHSAA clearly struggled with when it came to creating conferences, five of the six teams are only in this conference for football and the sixth doesn't have a football team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Basically, from my perspective, it looks like the NCHSAA used the Yadkin Valley 2A/3A Conference as a way to keep conference size manageable and keep regional rivalries. I like a lot of these teams and it's one of the most talent-rich 2A/3A conferences in the state, with over 10 players already in the rankings before writing this piece, a rarity at the lower classifications. How do we see things shaking out?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Albemarle Bulldogs (2A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1798339' first='Shoddy' last='Pergee']</strong>, RB/WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The outlook for the Bulldogs isn't the most promising in the conference. After going 1-9 last season, the Bulldogs lost three of four leading rushers, four of five players who caught a pass, and four of six leading tacklers. The guy still here? Athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1798339' first='Shoddy' last='Pergee']</strong>, who is the remaining player in each of those categories. He was third on the team in rushing, second in receiving, and fourth in tackling. He should have more offensive opportunities this season after averaging nearly nine yards a touch last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered: Skyler Potts </strong>(LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">North Rowan Cavaliers (2A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1798217' first='Jo' last='Jo Tarver']</strong>, RB/DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavaliers' leading rusher a season ago also came on strong as a defensive back down the stretch for a good North Rowan team, and that's where I'm most intrigued. The Cavaliers made a mini-run last postseason, coming up just shy. If they could get more consistency from a budding defense, I think the team could be excellent in 2025. Tarver ran for over 1,200 yards last season and could be reasonably expected to put up big numbers again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1721132' first='Nicholas' last='Morrow']</strong> (DB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">South Stanly Rowdy Rebel Bulls (2A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter Callicut</strong>, LB/RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Callicut was recently on our watch list, and we just moved him to the rankings ahead of the season. He's a talented linebacker with over 100 tackles last season, but I'm interested to see if he can raise his level of play on offense. The Rowdy Rebel Bulls have one of the best West Coast passing attacks in the state, but getting just a bit more out of an average rushing attack could be the difference between six and eight wins in 2025. We know <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594310' first='Jasiah' last='Holt']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1626301' first='Kaleb' last='Richardson']</strong> will elevate the offense, what can the running game do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1594310' first='Jasiah' last='Holt'] </strong>(WR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1626301' first='Kaleb' last='Richardson']</strong> (QB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">North Stanly Comets (3A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1727067' first='Nathan' last='Helms']</strong>, WR/DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Listed as a DB in our rankings, I think Helms' most important position this year will be as a receiver. He finished second on the team with 29 receptions and 344 yards behind a senior who accounted for nearly half of the team's receiving yardage. Those are big shoes to fill and if North Stanly wants to compete in the 3A classification, they'll need someone to step up. Helms had seven interceptions last year and anchors the back on an experienced defense. The Comets don't lose a ton of production outside of the receiver position, so if Helms can fill that No. 1 role, they're a team to watch as a potential good-to-great transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600483' first='Juice' last='Lilly']</strong> (LB/RB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1670826' first='Jaden' last='Little']</strong> (RB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Union Academy Cardinals (3A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1798091' first='Parker' last='Frashier']</strong>, QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union Academy's heart and soul is its quarterback and top athlete. Last season, his first as a starter, Frashier completed nearly 70% of his passes for 16 touchdowns and just five picks while running for over 450 yards, good for second on the team. The Cardinals lose a lot of production elsewhere, including their top two running backs and two of three top receivers. Defensively, it's also an uphill battle, they'll return talent on the back end, but lose four players who combined for all 30 sacks last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered: John Carlos Leon</strong> (LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Predicted Order of Finish</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. South Stanly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. North Stanly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. North Rowan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Union Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Albemarle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yadkin Valley 2A/3A Conference is wide open, and you could talk me into thinking most of these teams could go on a run. With so few conference games, a single surprising result could throw a wrench in everything. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Albemarle has an uphill battle with the amount of production lost from last year's team, but the rest of the teams in the conference return key contributors. I gave South Stanly the slight edge, given their proven quarterback-receiver tandem, but I'm interested to see which of these teams can take the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This conference is filled with <em>good</em> teams. I'm most interested to see if any of them can be <em>great</em>. South Stanly is seventh in my preseason 2A rankings, and North Stanly and North Rowan were both considered for my top 10 in their respective classes. Can one (or two) of these teams seize control, get on a run, and make noise in the playoffs? That's my biggest question.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want to send this article to someone else? Promo code Helms30 will give them 30% off their first billing cycle.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->